Background

Projects Background:

a. Tonle Sap Conservation Project (TSCP)

The Tonle Sap Conservation Project (TSCP) is a seven year (2004-2011) UNDP/Global Environment Facility (GEF)-supported project aiming at developing the management capacity for biodiversity conservation in the Tonle Sap Biosphere Reserve (TSBR) in Cambodia through (i) enhancing the capacity for management of biodiversity; (ii) developing systems for monitoring and management of biodiversity; and (iii) promoting awareness, education, and outreach on biodiversity conservation in the TSBR.

The project is a component of a broader program, the "Tonle Sap Environmental Management Project," co-financed by the Asian Development Bank, GEF, Capacity 21, Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), and the Royal Government of Cambodia (RGC). The program has three components: (i) strengthening natural resource management in the TSBR; (ii) organizing communities for natural resource management; and (iii) building management capacity for biodiversity conservation. The TSCP is an integral part of the third component and is managed in coordination with the other two components, with common management, monitoring and evaluation mechanisms.

The Project is nationally executed by the Cambodia National Mekong Committee. Project assurance is provided by the UNDP Cambodia Country Office.

The Project design includes a provision for a Final Project Evaluation to be completed at Project end. The TSCP was scheduled for operational closure at the end of 2011 however, due to logistical, financial, and operational considerations, the TSCP Board voted in September 2010 to conclude implementation of all TSCP activities at the end of 2010.

b. Building Capacity and Mainstreaming Sustainable Land Management Project (SLM)

Building Capacity and Mainstreaming Sustainable Land Management Project (SLM) is a 3 year (2008-2011) UNDP/Global Environment Facility (GEF) and Global Mechanism (GM)-supported project aiming at strengthening the enabling environment for sustainable land management, while ensuring broad-based political and participatory support for the process in Cambodia through (i) completing National Action Program to Combat Land Degradation; (ii) enhancing Institutional and human resources capacity to plan and implement SLM; and (iii) integrating SLM into national and sectoral policies and regional planning.
   
The project contribute towards the achievement of the following long-term goal: The agricultural, forest and other terrestrial land uses of Cambodia are sustainable, productive systems that maintain ecosystem productivity and ecological functions while contributing directly to the environmental, economic and social well-being of the country. The project contributes to Cambodia’s efforts to deliver the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). The project has relevance for several MDGs, but most directly to MDG 7 - Ensure environmental sustainability.

The project has three outcomes: (i) National Action Program (NAP) is completed; (ii) Institutional and human resources capacity to plan and implement SLM is enhanced; and (iii) SLM is integrated into national and sectoral policies and regional planning.
The Project is nationally executed by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries. Project assurance is provided by the UNDP Cambodia Country Office.

General Context

In line with UNDP-GEF Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) policies and procedures, all full-sized and medium-sized projects supported by the GEF should undergo a terminal evaluation upon completion of implementation.

The terminal evaluation must provide a comprehensive and systematic account of the performance of a completed project by assessing its project design, process of implementation, achievements vis-à-vis project objectives endorsed by the GEF including any agreed changes in the objectives during project implementation and any other results.

Terminal evaluations have four complementary purposes:

• To promote accountability and transparency, and to assess and disclose levels of project accomplishments;
• To synthesize lessons that may help improve the selection, design and implementation of future GEF activities;
• To provide feedback on issues that are recurrent across the portfolio and need attention, and on improvements regarding previously identified issues; and,
• To contribute to the GEF Evaluation Office databases for aggregation, analysis and reporting on effectiveness of GEF operations in achieving global environmental benefits and on the quality of monitoring and evaluation across the GEF system.

Duties and Responsibilities

Objectives of the Assignment

The Monitoring and Evaluation policy in UNDP/GEF at the project level has four objectives:

• to monitor and evaluate results and impacts – particularly on global biodiversity values for TSCP and on addressing land degradation for SLM project;
• to provide a basis for decision-making on necessary amendments and improvements of future projects;
• to promote accountability for resource use, including efficiency and effectiveness of implementation; and
• to provide feedback on lessons learned.

A Terminal evaluation is a monitoring and evaluation process that occurs at the project level at the end of project implementation. Terminal evaluations are intended to review overall project design, assess progress towards the achievement of objectives, identify and document lessons learned (including lessons that might improve design and implementation of other UNDP/GEF projects), and review the extent to which the project addressed the recommendations in the Mid-Term Evaluation (for TSCP). It is expected to serve as a means of validating or filling the gaps in the initial assessment of relevance, effectiveness and efficiency obtained from monitoring. The Terminal evaluation provides the opportunity to evaluate overall project success or failure and to make recommendations for consideration in future projects. Terminal evaluations also assist transparency and improve access to information for future reference. 

The Terminal Evaluation is being initiated by UNDP pursuant to the evaluation plan in the Project Document and donor reporting requirements. The Terminal Evaluation aims to focus on determining progress being made towards the achievement of outcomes will identify the relevance, effectiveness, efficiency and timeliness of project implementation; highlight issues requiring decisions and actions; and present initial lessons learned about project design, implementation and management. The final evaluation will also look at impact and sustainability of results, including the contribution to capacity development and rural livelihood improvement, and the achievement of global environmental goals. It will also identify and document lessons learned and make recommendations that will maximize the impact of the TSCP and SLM going forward, and/or that might improve design and implementation of similar projects.

The Terminal Evaluation is intended to be a systematic learning exercise for project partners. The exercise is therefore structured so as to generate and share experience and practical knowledge. To achieve this, the evaluation will take place in a consultative and participatory rather than advisory manner. 

Scope of Work

The Terminal Evaluation will be conducted in such a way to ensure that key principles of evaluation are closely respected. The Terminal Evaluation will be independent, impartial, transparent, ethical and credible.

The following broad areas will be covered by the Evaluation:

• relevance of the project concept, design and implementation arrangements in today’s context. This includes overall relevance of the Project in the broader global and national context, e.g.. whether the Project outcomes were consistent with the GEF Biodiversity Focal Area Strategy, GEF Operational Program on SLM (OP 15) and country priorities;
• project ownership at the national and local levels;
• stakeholder participation, including gender balances in participation and influence;
• project effectiveness, i.e., progress achieved against planned outputs and sub-outputs;
• partnership and complementarity with other relevant on-going or past activities (the synergy with the two other broader programme components of Tonle Sap Environmental Management Project for TSCP) ;
• sustainability of Project achievements and impacts, including financial, sociopolitical, institutional framework and governance, and environmental sustainability, as well as an assessment of the feasibility of replication and exit strategies;
• any catalytic role played by the project;
• financial aspect: planning, execution and sustainability, including the timely delivery and use of co-financing;
• project efficiency: cost effectiveness including impacts of delays in Project start up and implementation;
• effectiveness of the application of adaptive management principles through monitoring and evaluation (including effective use of log frame, UNDP risk management system, the Annual Project Implementation Reviews, and other monitoring tools and mechanisms as appropriate); and
• extent to which the Project effectively addressed the Mid-Term Evaluation recommendations through UNDP/TSCP management responses.

It is proposed that the assessment be grouped into four components, 1) Project design assessment, 2) Project implementation assessment, 3) Results assessment, and 4) Capacity building assessment. The Evaluation will highlight lessons learned and best (and worst, if applicable) practices in addressing issues relating to relevance, performance and success.  Finally, the evaluation will recommend activities, including possible donor-funded interventions, to consolidate and build on Project achievements going forward after Project conclusion.

Composition of the Evaluation Team

Two Consultants, one International and one National, will be responsible for conducting and reporting on the evaluation, under the guidance of and reporting to UNDP's Environment and Energy Cluster. The International Consultant will be designated as Team Leader and will carry overall responsibility for organizing and completing the evaluation and delivering the final report.  The National Consultant will assist with technical analysis and with translation/interpretation, and coordination of logistical arrangements.
   
The Evaluation Team will draw lessons learned and make recommendations that will impact and improve the design and implementation of other UNDP/GEF/UNF projects. The International Consultant will have overall responsibility for the coordination, drafting, completion and delivery of the Terminal Evaluation Report, including methods, findings / lessons learned, recommendations and follow-up actions to be taken. The National Consultant will, under the overall direction of the International Consultant, have responsibility for the day to day coordination and implementation of evaluation activities, and will assist with reporting of the evaluation findings. The National Consultant will provide particular support with methodologies and with Khmer language interpretation and translation.

Final Products or Deliverables/Outputs

The Terminal Evaluation will produce the following outputs:

• two detailed Terminal Evaluation Reports in concise English, including Lessons Learned and evaluation conclusions, using the specified UNDP/GEF format (no more than 50 pages/report, excluding Executive Summary and Annexes);
• record of key outputs from the evaluation process, including workshop outputs, and minutes of meetings with stakeholders; and
• summary presentation of Terminal Evaluation Report findings to be presented at the Project Terminal Workshop.

Although the Evaluation Team will have certain flexibility in structuring the report, a suggested format is provided.

Monitoring and Progress Controls

The evaluation consultant shall work in close collaboration with the TSCP and SLM project team and UNDP CO, E&E Cluster. The following reports shall be submitted to respective TSCP and SLM project and E&E Cluster for review and comment:

• Inception report (including workplan and approach) – after 1 week of the initiation of work
• Progress report against deliverables/outputs and milestones indicating in the inception report

Day-to-day supervision and monitoring performance of the consultants shall be done by E&E Team Leader. The E&E Programme Analyst shall provide overall quality assurance on the draft reports.

Payment Milestones

• First payment: 20% of the contract lump-sum amount will be paid within 15 days after submission and acceptance of the consultancy inception report which includes work-plan, key milestones and approach of conducing the assignment consistent with the Terms of Reference.
• Second payment: 40% of the contract lump-sum amount will be paid within 15 days after submission and acceptance the draft evaluation report.
• Last payment:  40% of the contract lump-sum amount will be paid within 15 days after submission and acceptance of the final evaluation report.

Every payment is subject to receipt of certification of payment and performance evaluation for last payment duly completed and signed by ACD and Team Leader, Environment and Energy Cluster, UNDP – Cambodia.

Competencies

• Strong technical background and proven competency in biodiversity conservation, protected areas management, or related areas of natural resource management, including demonstrable expertise in project formulation, implementation and evaluation.
• Experience with UNDP’s current project formulation, implementation and evaluation procedures. Familiarity with GEF programming and procedures, as well as its evaluation policies and guidelines, will be an important asset.
• Excellent English writing and communication skills. Demonstrated analytical skills, ability to assess complex situations, to succinctly and clearly distill critical issues, and to draw practical conclusions.
• Demonstrated ability to work with developing country government agencies and NGOs. Previous work experience in Southeast Asia, and ideally in Cambodia.
• Previous work experience with United Nations and other multilateral/bilateral development assistance agencies.
• Experience leading multi-disciplinary, multi-national teams in high stress. Ability to meet short deadlines.
• Excellent interpersonal, coordination and planning skills. Sense of diplomacy and tact.
• Ability and willingness to travel to provincial areas.
• Computer literate (MS Office package).

Required Skills and Experience

Education:   

• Minimum of a master’s degree or equivalent in natural resource management, environment, development or related field demonstrably relevant to the position.

Experience: 

• A minimum of 15 years of relevant experience is required.

 

Language Requirements:

• Proficiency in written and spoken English.

Application Submission Process:

Interested individual consultants must submit the following documents/information to demonstrate their qualifications:

1. Proposal

(i) Explaining why Interested individual consultant are the most suitable for the work

(ii) Provide a brief methodology on how Interested individual consultant will approach and conduct the work

2. Financial proposal (Lump Sum Offer)

Interested individual consultants are kindly requested to submit consultancy fee quote or financial proposal in lump-sum offer with the cost breakdown (consultancy  fee, per diem, travel related expenses and other related costs).

3. Personal CV including past experience in similar projects and at least 3 references

Interested individual consultants must submit their applications online through UNDP Online Recruitment System. Correspondence (either in hard or soft format) will not be considered until the advance stage of the selection process. Applicants are required to fill and sign a P11 Form and submit it together with Curriculum Vitae on the online application. The P11 Form can be obtained at http://sas.undp.org/Documents/P11_Personal_history_form.doc

4. How to Submit Application

To submit your application online, please follow the steps below:

• Download and complete the UN Personal History Form (P11).
• Merge your P11, Personal CV, Proposals and other relevant documents into a single file.
• Click on the Job Title.
• Click “Apply Now” button, fill in necessary information on the first page, and click “Submit Application”.
• Upload your application.
• You will receive an automatic response to your email confirming receipt of your application by the system.

Application Evaluation Process:

Individual consultants will be evaluated based on the Cumulative Analysis methodology [weighted scoring method], where the award of the contract will be made to the individual consultant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as:

a) Responsive/compliant/acceptable, and

b) Having received the highest score out of a pre-determined set of weighted technical and financial criteria specific to the solicitation.

• Technical Criteria weight; [70%]
• Financial Criteria weight; [30%]

The following criteria and allocated points will be used in Technical Evaluation.

• Strong technical background and proven competency in biodiversity conservation, sustainable land management, or related areas of natural resource management - 25 points
• Experience with UNDP’s current project formulation, implementation and evaluation procedures, familiarity with GEF evaluation policies and guidelines would be an asset - 25 points
• Demonstrated analytical skills, ability to assess complex situations, to succinctly and clearly distill critical issues, and to draw practical conclusions - 20 points
• Previous work experience in Southeast Asia, and ideally in Cambodia - 15 points
• Experience leading multi-disciplinary, multi-national teams in high stress - 15 points

Only Individual Consultants obtaining a minimum of 70 points of technical score would be considered for the Financial Evaluation. 

UNDP is applying fair and transparent selection process that would take into account the technical qualification of Individual Consultants as well as their financial proposals.

UNDP retains the right to contact references directly.

Due to large number of applications we receive, we are able to inform only the successful candidates about the outcome or status of the selection process.

Other Information:

This is a non-staff contract under the Individual Contract (IC) modality of hiring of the UNDP. Individuals engaged under an IC serve in their individual capacity and not as representative of a government institutions, corporate body or other authority external to UNDP. The incumbent shall not be considered as staff of UNDP, the UN common system or the government and are therefore not entitled to any diplomatic privileges or any other special status or conditions.